From Comox to Cowichan, with detours to Hornby and Gabriola Islands, this trail winds through rugged coastlines, orchards, and charming farm-based cideries.
From the lush Comox Valley to the forested charm of Gabriola and Hornby Islands, this trail is a mix of rural beauty, island adventure, and inventive cider-making. Start in Courtenay and work your way south through Vancouver Island’s central corridor, stopping at cideries rooted in farmland, forest, and coastline. Short ferry rides to Gabriola and Hornby add a touch of adventure — and a lot of ocean views — before the trail wraps up in the rolling hills of the Cowichan Valley.
Raven's Moon Cidery
4905 Darcy Road, Courtenay, BC, Canada
Our batches are small. In every bottle of cider you will find the crisp juice of naturally grown heirloom and heritage apples from our farm and other BC farmers. You will find the traditional art of fermentation combined with a twist of a new age of cider. Always with apples as the base, we blend in other Vancouver Island and BC fruit, infusions and botanicals.
Fossil Beach Farm
750 Savoie Rd, Hornby Island, BC V0R 1Z0, Canada
Nestled on the point with panoramic ocean views is where we make Fossil Beach Farm’s hard cider and non-alcoholic drinks. Join us in the tasting room or enjoy our outdoor picnic area while you sip the farm based craft ciders. All of our cider is handcrafted by a blend of Fossil Beach Farm’s orchard apples planted in 1921 and other BC farmed apples to make the best and most sustainable cider we can.
Big Bang Cider
1235 Nanaimo Lakes Road, Nanaimo, BC V9R 5P4, Canada
Crafted on site, Big Bang Cider aims to reintroduce the community to traditional heritage cider. Our orchard features over 25 cider specific apple varieties from France, England and North America. We also have a limited supply of modern dry cider using local ingredients such as farm-grown hops, Okanagan blackberries and fresh quince from Nanaimo-Ladysmith.
Ravenskill Orchards & Gabbie's Premium Cider
1240 Coats Dr, Gabriola, BC V0R 1X4, Canada
Gabbie's Premium Cider is handcrafted on Gabriola Island. Nearly 100 years ago, B.C.’s Gulf Island farmers concocted exceptional hard cider. Legend has it, those makers then journeyed out to sea to share their libations with the mainland. To those Cider Makers, we salute you. Today we join you. Gabbie’s Premium Ciders are perfected by Ravenskill Orchards at our unique island location. Amongst 1,000 heritage trees, 25 varieties of apples, grow fresh, crisp, sun-kissed and gently-breezed by the salty sea air. We are a family of farmers, sea lovers and makers crafting the best small batch premium cider the Gulf Island have enjoyed since prohibition. A distinct taste and cider experience.
Valley Cider Co.
7661 Mays Road, Duncan, BC, Canada
Valley Cider is an exercise & commitment to discover an apple’s potential, from farmer’s field to sparkling bottle. Having the good fortune to be located in a veritable apple wonderland (BC) and more specifically a region steeped in rich apple history (Cowichan Valley), doesn’t hurt either. Almost everything needed to produce extraordinary cider is local, if not within arm’s reach. And it all evolved through this cidermaker’s years of unfettered trials and tribulation into the wonderful magical world of "what if...?"
Merridale Cidery & Distillery
1230 Merridale Rd, Cobble Hill, BC, Canada
Merridale is BC’s first established craft cidery, located in the heart of Cobble Hill on Vancouver Island. From the orchard to the glass, every step is meticulously managed to deliver character-driven products, including easy-drinking and sessionable flagship and seasonal ciders.